LONDON/OSLO: After the deadly shootings in Oslo, the Norwegian secret service has raised the terror alert level to the highest level.
The danger of a terrorist threat is assessed from three to five and thus to “exceptionally” high, the Norwegian secret service PST announced at a press conference on Saturday, as reported by the broadcaster NRK.
A suspected lone gunman shot dead two people in the centre of the Norwegian capital on Saturday night. At least 21 others were injured,10 of them seriously, by gunshots in and around a well-known bar, according to police. Investigations into suspected terrorism are ongoing. Hate crime is strongly suspected, police said in the morning. The attacker is said to be a Norwegian with Iranian roots. The suspect had already been arrested during the night.
Meanwhile, Oslo’s Pride march was called off on Saturday after “terrorist” shootings in the centre of the normally tranquil Norwegian capital killed two people and wounded 21 others. Police arrested a suspect, a 42-year-old Norwegian man of Iranian descent, shortly after the shooting started around 1am in three locations in central Oslo. “The police are investigating the events as a terrorist attack,” police said in a statement.
Organisers of the Pride march that was due to take place on Saturday afternoon said they were calling it off.
“All events linked to Oslo Pride have been cancelled” following “clear” recommendations by police, the organisers wrote on Facebook.
“We do not yet know the reasons for this terrible act, but to all the others who now are afraid and are in mourning, I say we are all with you,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Facebook.
Police said two people had died and 21 were wounded, including 10 seriously, and said two weapons had been seized.
The man arrested “is suspected of homicide, attempted homicide and a terrorist act”, senior police official Christian Hatlo told a press conference.
The terror charge comes because “of the number of wounded and killed, the number of crime scenes… and there is good reason to believe that he had intended to sow terror”, Hatlo said. Police received the first reports at 1:14 am and the suspect was arrested five minutes later, police said. Police said they were able to quickly apprehend the suspect thanks to the “heroic contribution” of bystanders.
The shootings happened near the London Pub gay club, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a takeaway food outlet. On Saturday, rainbow flags hung near the scene. Police presence was stepped up throughout the capital. — AFP
